Hyundai Kona – price, problems and offers

Hyundai Kona is a different crossover with modern technology. Autovisie explores the issues, offers and prices in this buying guide.

Hyundai’s first compact crossover is a hit. The B-segment car is also unique because of its unique design, modern equipment and modern engine range with the option of petrol, petrol hybrid and electric drive.

Carrosserie Hyundai Kona

The first Hyundai Kona, model code OS, certainly does not behave differently. Round shapes and sharp curves alternate, while wide wheel arches and plastic side skirts suggest off-road suitability. Single headlights à la Citroën and a large grille dominate the front view. The rear also stands out with a combination of high and low light.

The 4.16 meter long high chair is available in matte and glossy finish with accent colours. Full LED lighting, roof rails, privacy glass and a sliding roof are options. The Lightning has a closed front with a clamp for the charging connection. Kona will receive a facelift in the spring of 2020. New bumpers and a new grille bring more stability to the design. Other news is the arrival of the N Line sports package. The ‘real’ Kona N, the best model of 2021, is not coming to the Netherlands.

Internal affairs

The beautiful design of the exterior is not carried over into the interior. Low-to-the-ground performance and black-gray plastic dominate. In other versions, accent colors provide visual pleasure. The driver looks at the analog-digital instrument cluster or fully with a vertical infotainment screen with a combination of physical buttons and touch controls. The list of factory options is extensive.

In addition to the active safety systems, such as lane keeping assistant and emergency brake assistant, Hyundai offers the Kona at an additional cost with things like a head-up display, navigation, Apple Carplay, wireless phone charger and premium audio, but also cruise control, parking assistance with camera, seat – and heated steering wheel and seat ventilation. The electrics have regenerative paddles on the steering wheel and an energy-saving heat pump. The 2020 facelift includes improved finishes, new safety systems, updated information and revisions to equipment standards.

Motor Hyundai Kona

Mechanically, the Hyundai Kona covers all the usual customer requirements. Petrol engines are 1.0 T-GDi (120 hp, 172 Nm) and 1.6 T-GDI (177-198 hp, 265 Nm). The huge price and performance gap between the two petrol engines will be closed in 2019 with the Hybrid. This variant has a 1.6 petrol engine, an electric motor and a 1.56 kWh battery pack (total 141 hp, 265 Nm).

The electric will be in the showroom from 2018. It has a liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery pack with a capacity of 39 kWh (136 hp, 395 Nm) or 64 kWh (204 hp, 395 Nm). The specified WLTP range is 289 and 449 km. Later this grows to a maximum of 305 and 484 km. In the spring of 2019, the Electric will receive a new 11 kW three-phase AC charger. The 2020 facelift brings a new 1.0 petrol engine with 48V non-hybrid technology. Timing chain wear sometimes occurs with the 1.6 T-GDI. HV battery recovery is initiated Electrically; this applies to 2018-2020 vehicles built in South Korea.

Contagion

The Hyundai Kona has front-wheel drive as standard. All-wheel drive is only available with the more powerful petrol engine. The 1.0 T-GDI has a six-speed manual gearbox. The compact 1.0 has an iMT manual transmission and an electrically operated clutch-by-wire clutch. When you let off the gas in ambient mode, the system automatically shuts off to save fuel.

The 1.6 T-GDI has a seven-speed DCT automatic transmission and the Hybrid has a six-speed variant. Some owners report problems with the DCT. On a used car, check if the gear shift is smooth and jerk-free. Regular oil changes extend the life of the DCT automatic transmission and the Electric reduction box. Grinding noises from an Electric vehicle usually indicate a problem with the electric motor and/or the reduction gearbox. Repairs are usually covered by the EV manufacturer’s 8-year/100,000-mile warranty.

Hyundai Kona suspension

An independent McPherson front suspension is connected to an independent torsion beam rear axle or a multi-link rear suspension. Initially, the Kona has a solid chassis tuning. From the facelift onwards, the chassis and steering are more focused on comfort. The N Line has a stiffer sports suspension and comes standard with 18-inch alloy wheels. Standard Kona wheel sizes start at 16 inches and end at 18 inches.

Which Hyundai Kona should I get?

on the light side and the top drive is too heavy, the Kona works best as a Hybrid or Electric. Both electric vehicles combine smooth to impressive performance with efficient fuel or electricity consumption. The versions are called Drive (16-inch hubcaps, air conditioning, cruise control), Comfort (16-inch alloys, roof rails), Essence (large infotainment screen, high-quality sound, parking assist and camera) and Style (lights front fog lights, privacy glass, smart key, automatic air conditioning, various active safety systems). In addition, the option packages Smart, Sky, Design and Design Sky are included in the price list. The top Premium model has 18-inch wheels, full LED lighting, electric seat adjustment and parking assist.

Later in the production period, the Store will be discontinued and other equipment levels will be expanded with new options. The N Line has a sports package with a black exterior finish, full LED lighting and a sporty interior with suede seat upholstery and seat ventilation.

Should it be a Hyundai Kona?

Kona offers everything that buyers can expect from a modern crossover in segment B. In terms of engine, transmission, safety systems, comfort and luxury, the model can compete well with other products of the same size. In the interior, the Kona misses some points when it comes to space and furniture. However, many competitors do not have a suitable answer to the five-year manufacturer’s warranty. Also used, the first generation Kona is a balanced version with no top or bottom sellers. If you like design, you will make a good purchase.

Part prices

Front brake pads, per set €53.48

Front brake discs, for a set of € 95.96

Hankook Ventus Prime 4, 215/55 R17 94V, each from € 110.67

Air conditioning pump, from € 386.83

Clutch including bearing release, from € 218.01

Prices apply to Hyundai Kona 1.0 T-GDI from 2019 and include VAT and exclude installation.

Maintenance costs

Repairs from €225

The maintenance interval (1.0 T-GDI) is 15,000 km for 1 year.

Advantages of Hyundai Kona

+ Modern driving technology

+ Attractive design

+ Cheap EV version

+ Five-year warranty

Minpunten Hyundai Kona

– Attractive design

– Not a very bright interior

This is the original BYD Dolphin range